troops but president hamid karzai, who has rankled the u.s. by refusing to sign a security agreement before year's end. >> eight major tech giants, many from the bay area, have called for tighter controls on government surveillance. the companies, including google, facebook and twitter are joining forces to argue there should be reforms in the way the united states snoops on people. they issued an open letter to president barack obama, saying that while governments have a duty to protect citizens, recent revelations have "highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide." the letter published monday said: "the balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual - rights that are enshrined in our constitution." the letter follow revelations by former national security agency contractor edward snowden, who leaked details of the secret programs that critics say violate privacy rights >> i will highlight more of the weather when we return. >> ice, snow, and